THE newspapers are full of Property supplements touting the latest developers’ projects with the implication that their work is for the good of all, particularly their clients. I would say from the record, particularly for themselves.
When I saw that Mandaluyong where I reside was the subject of an Inquirer Property and Federal Land, NRE Global Inc. Panel on “Making Smart Real Estate Decisions in Changing Times,” I thought I would read the supplement for a change.
The real estate discussed is in what is now called the Central Mandaluyong Business District which is across the river from Makati and across EDSA from the Mandaluyong City proper.
I was offended to hear that one panelist called it “the armpit of Makati” before real estate developers seriously took over. Furthermore, their “smart” decisions are plans for eight towers comprising condominiums, office spaces, retail shops, restaurants and service establishments.
This area before real estate development was no “armpit” but open space with greenery, trees and mostly undeveloped land. Just because the city across the river was more developed is no call to denominate undeveloped land an “armpit.” Nothing intrinsically wrong with development if it has the right ingredients. The proposed high-rise buildings these “smart decisions” are promising contain are not good enough. No mention of provisions for parks, greenery and open spaces for people to use and experience nature amid all the concrete that will be poured for high-rises. In other words, they will build over everything, use every square meter of land for profit and with the “smart decisions” make a lot of money. Who does that help but themselves? Certainly not even their clients.
One of the problems here is that owners of real estate think that as such they can do what they please to what they own without a thought to zoning regulations, neighbors, community life, livable space, previous history of the area. Provisions for the natural environment never seem part of the equation. Present-day conditions like climate change, rising temperatures and inadequate water supply are just never in play in their plans.
Mandaluyong was a small town with clear flowing creeks, much greenery, particularly trees and a steady population of mostly middle-class families that lived there for generations. Come modernity, population increase and a general idea that development means cluttering the place with buildings even in quiet neighborhoods, the creeks were built over, the trees were cut in massive numbers and one of the biggest slums in Metro Manila sprouted up.
Yes, there is a land use plan which is followed more in the breach than keeping to its rules. What would you say to a 15-story building on a 6-meter road in a quiet neighborhood of two-story houses of residents who have lived there for generations? They oppose the change of character of the building which dug two stories of basement, if not more, endangering every house foundation around it, seriously disrupting the neighborhood. But the Mandaluyong Local Zoning Board gives exemptions upon request so a 15-story building on a side street has been given an exemption to build more than three times the height limit. The neighborhood complains, and the Mandaluyong City government sides with the developer.
The obsession to build in whatever thoughtless way has taken over the city. Yet there is no prospect of socialized housing which is badly needed for their slum dwellers since decades ago. The only open space left is the Wack Wack golf course, which has been designated the evacuation site in case of disasters like earthquakes or fires. Yet despite the fact that it was donated to be a golf course, the Wack Wack Golf Club board actually considered the idea of having two towers of condominiums on their open space. Fortunately, the membership turned it down. But now they want some restaurants to clutter up the open space which will mean cutting centuries-old trees and occupying what should be open space in case of need as an evacuation center. Commercialization at the cost of environmental damage and public need for an open space evacuation center.
Perhaps the obsession is to get rid of nature as in open spaces, trees, greenery and substitute with concrete high-rises. As of now Mandaluyong is a city with no park and no prospects of one. The city plans parking buildings rather than parks. Its Municipio grounds, which were in effect a park with tennis courts, trees, open spaces and built on a rotonda, has been cluttered with buildings including a church and more construction coming. If you have business there you will find parking nonexistent, only crowded concrete spaces. Also, note the mutilation of the few trees left on its periphery by excessive cutting leaving tree skeletons not leafy trunks. This is the city’s idea of keeping electric lines safe. There is a better way, but they cannot be bothered.
Sometime ago, some citizens, alarmed by the tree-cutting, proposed to do an inventory of trees for the record and to keep them alive. There was no interest from City Hall, which claims to be a Tiger City, meaning it claims it has the means to do the best for the city. Obviously, it is a mere slogan.
All of the above is the result of an overwhelming profit motive that thrives on ignorant abandonment of what the future will hold, and in the end displays a distinct lack of civic virtue.
The real estate developers who are into “smart decisions” are in the same boat. They will probably construct a genuine “armpit” in their thoughtlessness, ignorance and drive for lucre.
